From aaronj at interchange.ubc.ca Tue Feb 5 09:32:22 2002 From: aaronj at interchange.ubc.ca (Aaron James) Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2002 18:32:22 -0600 Subject: [asia-apec 1843] URGENT ACTION FOR JAILED BURMESE PROFESSOR Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20020204183222.007d26d0@pop.interchange.ubc.ca> Friends, In Burma, a southeast Asian country lying between Thailand and India, has been ruled by a ruthless and corrupt military regime (which renamed the country Myanmar). Forced labour, akin to modern day slavery persists, and the UN, ILO, Amnesty International, and many other agencies have denounced the junta for forced relocation, arbitrary execution, torture, rape, and many other human right atrocities against its own population. It continues to ignore the results of 1990 elections, in which the National League for Democracy, led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won 82% of the seats. Many of the elected MPs were jailed or, as Suu Kyi, was placed under house arrest. Estimates are that between 1 and 4 million people have been internally displaced or have fled the country. They live in dire circumstances. Further, Burma is now the world's leading supplier of heroin and approximately 500,000 Burmese are infected with HIV/AIDS, some due to needle sharing, a relief many take from hunger and illness. A retired Burmese University professor has dared to stand up against the brutal regime. He handed out a petition calling for the recognition of democratically elected MPs. For this, he was arrested, tortured. Please respond to this urgent request for international support for the release of the jailed professor. in solidarity, Aaron James URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM 28 January 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------- UA-04-2002 - Arrested Professor prepared to die for democracy BURMA: Denial of freedom of expression, arbitrary arrest and detention of elderly human rights defender, concern for safety/risk of torture ------------------------------------------------------------------- "Many students have already been killed. It is about time that you kill an old professor." (Dr. Salai Than Tun, Burmese Professor) This appeal is for an international response to the arrest and detention of 74 year-old Dr Salai Tan Thun, a retired Burmese university rector who has publicly petitioned the military government to return power to civilian rule. In December 2001 Dr Salai Than Tun peacefully handed out copies of a petition calling on the military regime to hold multiparty elections within a year, in front of the Rangoon Town Hall. Shortly after, security officials arrested him. Details of the case became known to The Irrawaddy news service in early January, when it also obtained a copy of Dr Salai Tan Thun's petition. We call upon the international community to vigorously protest this denial of fundamental civil liberties so typical of the military regime in Burma (Myanmar). In particular, we call on the academic community throughout the world to act on this outrageous and unjust treatment of one of its peers. You can read the details of the case and the full transcript of Dr. Salai's petition below, or scroll down to the SUGGESTED ACTION section to see what you can do to support his brave protest. CASE DETAILS Dr Salai Tan Thun is a 74 year-old retired rector of Yezin University, Pyinmana (Upper Burma). He holds a PhD in Agronomy from the University of Wisconsin, USA. He is a member of the Chin minority ethnic group (western Burma) and a Christian. According to reliable sources of The Irrawaddy news service (Chiang Mai, Thailand) in early December Dr Salai Than Tun stood in front of Rangoon (Yangon) Town Hall in his academic gown. This is an historic site for resistance to the military regime. There he distributed petitions in his own name calling on the military government to: 1. Hold the multiparty general election within one year. 2. Let the election be held by a civilian interim government as soon as possible. 3. Let the election be supervised by ASEAN and UN officials. 4. Let all the eligible Myanmar citizens who want to contest in the election be able to complete including our military authorities as civilians. 5. Transfer the state power to any winner organization as soon as possible without any condition. In addition, he urged the government to kill him if unwilling to meet the five points as "it is better to die than live under the military regime". Full text of the petition is in the next section. Shortly after beginning his protest he was detained by security officers. His whereabouts are since unknown, however it is believed that he is being held in Insein Prison north of Rangoon, and that his relatives have not been granted access to him. He joins some 2000 political prisoners in jails throughout Burma. These include politicians, student activists, academics, writers, journalists, lawyers, unionists, comedians and many others who have publicly opposed the absolute military dictatorship in that country. The Burmese generals' release of a small number of political prisoners has attracted wide attention, but this progress must be put alongside the fact that not only do thousands remain locked up for their political views, but new prisoners of conscience are being detained to take the place of those released. Note that due to the repressive social and political environment in Burma, to date no further information on Dr Salai Than Tun's case is available. Those close to him are understandably reluctant to respond to enquiries as their lives are also in jeopardy. However if further details come to light an update to this Urgent Appeal shall be made available. THE PETITION - FULL TRANSCRIPT Citizens of Myanmar, I am Dr. Salai Tun Than, a retired professor, who belongs to a minority race called Asho Chin. I am here to request Myanmar military government five petitions, which are inalienable rights of Myanmar people. They are No. 1. Hold the multiparty general election within one year. No. 2. Let the election be held by a civilian interim government as soon as possible. No. 3. Let the election be supervised by ASEAN and UN officials. No. 4. Let all the eligible Myanmar citizens who want to contest in the election be able to complete including our military authorities as civilians. No. 5. Transfer the state power to any winner organization as soon as possible without any condition. Let me add a remark here. This as that I will be here between Myanmar Independent Monument and Yangon city hall until either the government agrees to my petitions or simply kills me. I am here offering my life for the cause of the rights of Myanmar citizens. I have neither to add nor to subtract from my petitions. I would like to plead the military government to consider my petitions seriously whether they are just or biased toward anybody or organization except Myanmar people. Perhaps you already have contemplated on granting the matter before my petitions. If it were the case my I utter sadhu thrice and God bless you all. If not convene your military junta and scrutinize my petitions with soul searching intellectual faculties and the love of your country. If you cannot grant my petitions at any rate you simply kill me and I am ready to die for the rights of Myanmar citizens. Of course many potential intellectuals of high school and university students have already been killed. It is about time that you kill an old professor. I am appealing to all armed forces: army, navy, air force, security force and police to consider the fairness of my petitions with concern. If it is for the benefit of Myanmar citizens I want you to act intelligently and courageously like the armed forces Indonesia and the Philippines. Do you still want to kill your flesh and blood who are demonstrating for the rights of Myanmar citizens because the authorities order you so? It is about the time to stop killing your kinsfolk. If you join us you all will be adored by the people. Let us rewrite our tarnished history together. If you consider that you cannot agree with me, please don't hesitate. Go ahead and kill me. I will be here all the time. I will forgive my killers from the bottom of my heart. If we happen to meet together in one of the extensive existences of Sansaya, and if I were a mighty person and you all were weaklings and if I find you naked, starved, stricken with soars and diseases and get lost in the darkness of your existence in tears, may I kindly wipe away your tears and feed you, clothe you, and make you whole form your diseases and soars and give you hope with reality of well being in your lives, May God bless and forgive my killers. May I appeal to the citizens of Myanmar including Sanghas, students, teachers, labourers, artistes, farmers, intellectuals, doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers, judges, housewives and people from all walks of life, please consider my proposal thoroughly and thoughtfully. If you agree with me join me in the demonstration. Go into the streets wherever you are and chant the slogan. I want no one sitting on the fence and the opportunists. It is the fight for our rights and to the finish. The time is now or never. Let us show the military government that we are one and united solidly. Be courageous. Do the right and fear none. But I beseech you citizens of Myanmar. Let us have no violence, no profanity, and no vulgar acts. Don't break to loot or hit anything. We had been trapped once on looting the leftover warehouses. Take lessons from this and let us not be trapped again. Looters, violent people, abusive people, and people showing vulgar acts are not ours. Avoid them I plead you. Demonstrate in the streets though you may be in tens, hundreds, or thousands. Do not tardy! let us act now. I trust that you all will dare to continue demonstration with boldness even after my death. If you are stopped by the authorities on the way to join me please reason with them to join us. If the authorities release prisoners and send intoxicated and drugged people please explain the reason with them what we are fighting for. Let them join us willingly. It is better to die than to live under the military boots without freedom. The lives you lost will not be in vain. Later Myanmar historians will honour you indeed. Don't be insecure and afraid. Righteousness is on our side. Generals, I am doing this on my own accord. No one urge me or bribe me or threaten me to do this, either underground or aboveground, individually or in groups, within the country or overseas. I am accountable for myself no one else. You all will see that I am wearing a doctorate gown, which I earned it. It is not to brag but to prove that I am a genuine old professor and I want to use it as a shroud for my dead body. May I request ASEAN officials to convince or military government not to stay in power without consent of the people. If the military government holds the general election soon enough as requested their exit will be graceful. Otherwise their fate will be unimaginable and ASEAN's non-interference policy will be soiled and jeopardised. Likewise I would like to request the UN officials to intervene as you did in Yugoslavia before much lives are lost especially after my death. Myanmar people especially youths have suffered enough. Again I would like to appeal Myanmar media people to carry on your duties normally and inform the people of Myanmar and the world what is actually happening now. It is your cardinal duty to defy the government's order courageously to report the truth. Let us also chant the slogan of our petitions, the leader will say "hold the multi party general elections" and the mass will respond "within one year. Within one year." The leader will say, "let the election be held by" and the mass will respond "the civilian interim government, the civilian interim government". The leader will say "let the election be supervised by" and the mass will respond "ASEAN and UN officials, ASEAN and UN officials". The leader will say "let any eligible person be able to contest in the election" and the mass will respond "including generals as civilians, including generals as civilians". Lastly the leader will say, "transfer the state power to any winner organization without any condition" and the mass will respond "as soon as possible, as soon as possible." That is all for the slogan. I thank you all and may God bless Myanmar people richly. The right of the people must be victorious indeed. SUGGESTED ACTION We urge concerned parties to send letters to Senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the military regime, with copies to other officials and the UN Special Rapporteur on Burma, expressing outrage at the arrest of Dr Salai Than Tun. A sample letter and contact details are in the next section. In particular, we urge the global academic community to forward the details of Dr Salai Than Tun's case throughout its networks. We strongly recommend all academics refrain from actions that may lend legitimacy to the military government in Burma, such as setting up exchange programmes, attending conferences or doing research with Burmese military approval, until Dr Salai Than Tun and other political prisoners are released. SAMPLE LETTER Dear Sr-Gen Than Shwe I am writing to you to express my outrage at the arrest of Dr Salai Than Tun, retired rector of Yezin University. Dr Salai Than Tun was detained last December while peacefully exercising his right to freedom of speech, in calling for a transition to democratic government in your country. His arrest reflects your government's consistent denial of the fundamental rights and freedoms of those you purport to represent. The optimism created by the release of a small number of political prisoners in Myanmar is being undermined by the arrest of new political prisoners and the continued imprisonment of thousands of others because of their political views. I urge you to immediately release Dr Salai Than Tun and all other political prisoners in Myanmar. Yours sincerely _______________ SEND LETTERS TO Senior General Than Shwe Chairman State Peace and Development Council Office of the Prime Minister Yangon, MYANMAR SEND COPIES TO 1. Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt Secretary-1 State Peace and Development Council Ministry of Defence Signal Pagoda Rd Yangon, MYANMAR Fax (+951) 22950 2. U Win Aung Minister for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yangon, MYANMAR Email: mofa.aung@mptmail.net.mm 3. Paulo S?rgio Pinheiro Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Palais des Nations, 8-14 Avenue de la Paix, CH 1211 Geneve, SWITZERLAND FAX: +41 22 9170213 Email: secrt.hchr@unog.ch (please mark ATT: MR. PINHEIRO) 4. National League for Democracy 97B West Shwegondaing Street Bahan Township Yangon, MYANMAR 5. Myanmar Embassy/consulate in your country. *** Please send a copy of your letter to AHRC Urgent Appeals: Email: "Finding Justice for East Timor" Spring 2002 ETAN speaking tour with Filomena dos Reis East Timorese activist Filomena dos Reis will speak across the U.S. on justice and women's issues in February and March. The tour, organized by the East Timor Action Network, will stress the need for an international tribunal for East Timor and discuss issues currently facing East Timorese women, including meaningful inclusion in political and social processes, domestic violence, and the plight of women still trapped in Indonesian refugee camps. Filomena will visit the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin For more information about Filomena and East Timor see www.etan.org Public events to date include the following (in state order): ARIZONA contact: Chris Lundry, 480-784-4696, lundry@asu.edu Mon Mar 18: at University of AZ in Tucson, contact Josh Banno, superbannoman@yahoo.com Tues Mar 19: afternoon at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, contact Sheila Nair, Sheila.nair@nau.edu Evening event at Arizona State University, Tempe, contact Chris Lundry, 480-784-4696, lundry@asu.edu LOS ANGELES/ PASADENA, CA contact: Ravinder Bhatia, 626-395-3493, rsb@astro.caltech.edu Weds Mar 6: 8:00 pm at Baxter Lecture Theater, Caltech; "Gender and Justice: Voices from Afghanistan, East Timor, Guatemala, Israel and Palestine" SAN FRANCISCO, CA contact: Ben Terrall, 510-510-985-0385, bterrall@igc.org Thurs Mar 14: 1:15 ? 3:05 at Stanford University, class of Prof. Rush Rehm Fri Mar 15: afternoon event at UC-Berkeley DENVER, CO contact: Abby Erikson, 303-813-7715, abby.erikson@pprm.org Fri Mar 8: 6:00 to 8:00 pm panel discussion on violence against women at the University of Denver NEW HAVEN, CT contact: Ben Kiernan, 203-432-2870, ben.kiernan@yale.edu Thurs Feb 14: 2:30 ? 4:20 pm at Yale University, ISPS conference room, 77 Prospect St, Genocide Studies seminar presentation on "East Timor during and after Indonesian Rule" WASHINGTON, DC contact: Karen Orenstein, 202-544-6911, karen@etan.org Thurs Feb 28: evening event at American University SOUTH BEND, IN contact: Jim Madden, 219-634-1102, jmadden@nd.edu Fri Feb 22: 4:00 pm at Notre Dame University, the Center for Social Concerns Coffeehouse (next to the library) BLOOMINGTON, IN contact: Christy Campoll, 812-384-3630, ccampoll@indiana.edu Sat Feb 23: 3:00 pm at Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood, Bloomington BOSTON, MA contact: Cynthia Peters, 617-524-3693, cppk@email.msn.com Mon Feb 11: 12:30 pm at Harvard Law School Human Rights Program, 4th floor Pound Hall, HRP conf area Tues Feb 12: 4:00 pm at Tufts University, Zamparielle room, Tufts University Campus Center 6:45 pm at United for Peace with Justice Coalition meeting, Community Church of Boston, 565 Boylston St DETROIT, MI contact: Tom Ness, 248-336-9241, jamrag@glis.net Mon Mar 4: 7:00 pm at the Green House, 22757 Woodward Ste 210, Ferndale ANN ARBOR, MI contact: Andy Conroe, 734-913-0393, aconroe@umich.edu Tues Mar 5: 12:00 pm at U.Michigan, room 1644 School of Social Work bldg, 1080 South University Ave MINNEAPOLIS/ ST. PAUL, MN contact: Sarah Standefer, 651-429-4794, scsrn@yahoo.com Mon Feb 18: 12:30 pm at Louisiana Cafe, at the corner of Selby and Dale in St. Paul, sponsored by Women Against Military Madness 7:00 pm at Macalester College?s Chapel, on Grand Ave near intersection with Snelling in St. Paul, co-sponsored by U of M ST. CLOUD, MN contact: Melanie Lahr, 320-251-1783, melanielahr@hotmail.com Tues Feb 19: 2:00 pm at St. Cloud State University, Atwood Little Theatre in the Atwood Memorial Center, on the corner of First Ave and Sixth St NEW YORK CITY contact: John M. Miller, 718-596-7668, john@etan.org Tues Feb 26: 7:30 pm at Judson Memorial Church (Garden Room), 243 Thompson St (near Washington Sq Pk), Manhattan CAMDEN, NJ contact: Joanna Gerson, 856-833-0991, jgerson@camden.rutgers.edu Weds Feb 27: 4:00 pm at Rutgers University Camden campus TOLEDO, OH contact: Nat?rcia Godhino-Adams, 419-536-4902, gnatercia@hotmail.com Mon Mar 4: 12:00 pm at U.Toledo PORTLAND, OR contact: Max White, 503-292-8168, maxw@ease.com Tues Mar 12: 6:30 pm at Campus Ministry Weds Mar 13: 7:30 ? 9:00 pm at Washington State University-Vancouver, Student Services 110 lecture hall, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave, Vancouver, WA PROVIDENCE, RI contact: Rose Shuman, 401-831-6433, rose_shuman@brown.edu Weds Feb 13: 4:30 pm at Brown University, Crystal Room of the Pembroke Campus; co-sponsored by local Catholic Diocese SEATTLE, WA contact: Frank Zucker, 206-547-7735, frankz@discoverybio.com Sun Mar 10: International Women?s Day event at Seattle Center Mon Mar 11: 12:00 pm at Antioch University 7:00 at U. Washington MADISON, WI contact: Tom Foley, 608-241-9135, planetzeb@earthlink.net Weds Feb 20: 7:00 pm at UW-Madison Memorial Union (TITU), 800 Langdon St Thurs Feb 21: 10:00 am at Edgewood College (contact Bill Duddleston, 608-663-3395, dudd@edgewood.edu) Filomena dos Reis has consistently worked for justice and freedom from violence. In 1997, she began volunteering with the largest women?s rights organization in East Timor, educating women in isolated rural communities on human and gender rights. Filomena was a delegate to the United Nations ?Beijing Plus Five? international conference on women?s issues in June 2001, and has represented the East Timorese Women?s Network at other international conferences. Filomena is currently the advocacy officer for the NGO Forum, a coalition of non-governmental organizations throughout East Timor. With the NGO Forum, she is working to establish an international tribunal in coordination with international and East Timorese partners. Filomena also counsels women victims of Indonesian military and domestic violence. East Timor, north of Australia, is currently under United Nations administration and will gain full independence on May 20. From 1975 to 1999, Indonesia illegally occupied East Timor, killing one-third of the population more than 200,000 people. Following East Timor?s overwhelming vote for independence in a UN-organized referendum in 1999, the Indonesian military and its militias carried out a scorched earth campaign, killing several thousand East Timorese, raping hundreds of women and girls, forcing three-quarters of the population from their homes, and destroying over 70 percent of the country?s infrastructure. From aaronj at interchange.ubc.ca Tue Feb 26 09:35:34 2002 From: aaronj at interchange.ubc.ca (Aaron James) Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002 18:35:34 -0600 Subject: [asia-apec 1845] ASEAN ft Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20020225183534.007d2c40@pop.interchange.ubc.ca> Reuters Business Group Urges ASEAN Free Trade Deal February 22, 2002 By Jim Wolf WASHINGTON - A prominent U.S. business group urged the Bush administration on Friday to beat China to the punch in creating a free-trade area with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China is seeking to boost its economic and political clout in Southeast Asia, possibly in a way that could freeze out U.S. investors and undercut World Trade Organization rules, the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council said in a series of policy recommendations. The challenge is to make sure that any future Chinese linkup with Southeast Asian nations "does not undermine U.S. interests in the region, to include those of the private sector, and ensure it is consistent with the WTO," the council said. To do so, U.S. officials should work toward creating a U.S.-ASEAN free trade area in as little as five years "to beat the Chinese," Ernest Bower, the council president, told reporters. The council called for a "Wise Men's Group" made up of academics, business leaders and former U.S. officials to explore the benefits of such a deal. As appropriate, the "wise men" should develop a road map leading to negotiations, it said. The council said the expanded scope of ASEAN's interactions with China, South Korea (news - web sites) and Japan through a process dubbed ASEAN + 3 posed "some of the same challenges that China does." Central to China's effort is its proposal, floated in 2000, to form a free-trade area with ASEAN within 10 years, the group said in a paper tied to the start of President Bush (news - web sites)'s second year in office. Beijing's overture is making "rapid" progress, said the council, made up of 150 corporate members comprising the leading U.S. investors in ASEAN. For much of the past two decades, ASEAN's early members -- Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei -- functioned as a U.S.-oriented bulwark of regional stability. Changes began with the buckling of Asian economies in 1997 and the rush to absorb communist-ruled Vietnam and Laos, military-ruled Myanmar and Cambodia, recovering from decades of civil war, revolution and more war. A U.S. free trade zone with ASEAN would be designed to eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers across a wide range of industries, along the lines of a comprehensive bilateral deal the United States is moving to wind up this year with Singapore. "It's not a brand new idea, but an idea whose time has come," Bower said. He held out the hope of simultaneous progress toward ending the political deadlock in Myanmar, formerly Burma, that has led to U.S. economic sanctions against an ASEAN member. The U.S. Trade Representative's Office had no immediate comment. The proposal for a China-ASEAN free-trade area was endorsed at an ASEAN summit meeting in Brunei in November. It would create a market of 1.7 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of $2 trillion and total two-way trade of $1.2 trillion, the council said. U.S. exports to ASEAN members totaled $47 billion in 2000, three times U.S. exports to China. But the U.S. economic slowdown last year had taken a toll on the regional bloc, prompting several ASEAN leaders to call for greater self-reliance and less dependence on the U.S. market. "While it is clear that there is an evolving regionalism in Asia, it is not possible to predict whether Asian will adopt an open or more exclusive, closed trading posture," the council said. Separately, the U.S. International Trade Commission called for comments for a newly initiated investigation into the probable economic effect of a U.S.-Singapore free trade agreement. ------------------ Aaron James 26 Bluebell Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R2V 2M3 Phone: 204-339-4484 Email: aaronj@interchange.ubc.ca ------------------ From fbp at igc.org Tue Feb 26 23:02:25 2002 From: fbp at igc.org (John M. Miller) Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2002 09:02:25 -0500 Subject: [asia-apec 1846] ETAN: Justice for E Timor Will Not Come from Indonesia Indictments Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.0.20020226090204.04fb4070@pop.igc.org> Media Release For Immediate Release Contact: John M. Miller, 718-5967668; mobile: 917-690-4391 Justice for East Timor Will Not Come from Indonesia Indictments Rights Group Urges International Tribunal Covering Entire Occupation February 26, 2002 -- Indonesia's recent indictment of seven military officers for crimes against humanity committed in East Timor in 1999 does not alleviate concerns that Indonesian courts can provide justice for the thousands of victims of military violence in East Timor, observed an East Timorese activist and the East Timor Action Network/U.S. (ETAN). "The recent Indonesian indictments do not alter our view that an international tribunal is essential to hold fully accountable those most responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in East Timor," said John M. Miller, spokesperson for ETAN. "The East Timorese are united in their desire for an international tribunal," said Filomena dos Reis of the East Timor NGO Forum. "Over two decades of first-hand experience with Indonesian justice tells us the current ad-hoc court will not be meaningful." Dos Reis, the Forum's Advocacy Director is currently on a speaking tour of the United States to build support for an international tribunal. Last week in Jakarta, Indonesia's Attorney General filed charges against seven men for genocide and crimes against humanity for the September 6, 1999 massacre in a Suai churchyard where several hundred people were killed, including nuns and priests. The murders took place, two days after the United Nations announced that East Timor had voted overwhelmingly for independence. Three members of the U.S. Congress had visited the Suai church just a few weeks before the massacre. On Monday, February 18, prosecutors in East Timor indicted 17 Indonesian soldiers and militia for crimes against humanity allegedly committed 1999. All of those indicted are believed to reside in Indonesia, but Indonesian officials quickly stated they would not honor any extradition requests or international warrants filed with Interpol. "Indonesia's refusal to fulfill its obligation to turn over suspects to the serious crimes court in East Timor should leave no doubt that Indonesia's commitment to justice is half-hearted at best," Miller added. "The Indonesian indictments should not deflect pressure for extraditions or an international tribunal." "The limited jurisdiction of the court, the continued power of the Indonesian military and the poor quality and lack of training of many of the judges reinforce our concerns about the Indonesian process. Indonesia has no witness protection program and traumatized East Timorese are unlikely to testify in Indonesian courts," said Miller. "The U.S., UN, and its member states are treading a dangerous line by giving credibility to a process that is so fatally flawed." An April 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on legal co-operation signed by the UN Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the Indonesian Government allows for the transfer of suspects. Despite a recent Indonesian pledge to extend the MOU, the Indonesian government officials maintain that they have no obligation to extradite suspects. Last August, the Megawati administration amended the decree establishing a special human rights court on East Timor, limiting it to selected incidents from April and September 1999 in three out of East Timor's 13 districts. "No one will be tried for the many atrocities that occurred outside of the narrow time periods and locations. The limitations mean that the military's role in orchestrating the violence and devastation throughout 1999 will not be fully addressed. The many crimes specifically directed at women will also not be prosecuted," said Miller. "Further, no one responsible for Indonesia's 1975 invasion of East Timor and most of the massive crimes committed during Indonesia's 24-year occupation will be investigated, much less held accountable," he added. Following the August 30, 1999 UN-organized referendum, the Indonesian military and their militias systematically destroyed East Timor, murdering up to 2000 East Timorese, destroying over 70 percent of the infrastructure and raping hundreds of women. Hundreds of thousands were forced from their homes. The East Timor Action Network/U.S. (ETAN) supports human dignity for the people of East Timor by advocating for democracy, sustainable development, social, legal, and economic justice and human rights, including women's rights. ETAN has 26 local chapters throughout the U.S. For additional information see ETAN's web site (http://www.etan.org). -30- etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan John M. Miller Internet: john@etan.org Media & Outreach Coordinator East Timor Action Network: 10 Years for Self-Determination & Justice 48 Duffield St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA Phone: (718)596-7668 Fax: (718)222-4097 Mobile phone: (917)690-4391 Web site: http://www.etan.org Support ETAN, to make a donation: http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan From wzainab at usm.my Wed Feb 27 17:22:08 2002 From: wzainab at usm.my (Zainab Wahidin) Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 16:22:08 +0800 Subject: [asia-apec 1847] Re: ETAN: Justice for E Timor Will Not Come from Indonesia Indictments References: <5.1.0.14.0.20020226090204.04fb4070@pop.igc.org> Message-ID: <002401c1bf67$d9afd340$7a0c8ea1@usm.my> Let us not forget that it was the US that armed the Suharto regime that perpertrated genocide of the East Timorese. To expect Indonesia to conduct a just trial seems fair game for America. I think the E.Timorese issue is the purview of the International Court of Justice. Zainab W. > > Media Release > > For Immediate Release > > Contact: > John M. Miller, 718-5967668; mobile: 917-690-4391 > > Justice for East Timor Will Not Come from Indonesia Indictments > > Rights Group Urges International Tribunal Covering Entire Occupation > > February 26, 2002 -- Indonesia's recent indictment of seven military > officers for crimes against humanity committed in East Timor in 1999 does > not alleviate concerns that Indonesian courts can provide justice for the > thousands of victims of military violence in East Timor, observed an East > Timorese activist and the East Timor Action Network/U.S. (ETAN). > > "The recent Indonesian indictments do not alter our view that an > international tribunal is essential to hold fully accountable those most > responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in East > Timor," said John M. Miller, spokesperson for ETAN. > > "The East Timorese are united in their desire for an international > tribunal," said Filomena dos Reis of the East Timor NGO Forum. "Over two > decades of first-hand experience with Indonesian justice tells us the > current ad-hoc court will not be meaningful." Dos Reis, the Forum's > Advocacy Director is currently on a speaking tour of the United States to > build support for an international tribunal. > > Last week in Jakarta, Indonesia's Attorney General filed charges against > seven men for genocide and crimes against humanity for the September 6, > 1999 massacre in a Suai churchyard where several hundred people were > killed, including nuns and priests. The murders took place, two days after > the United Nations announced that East Timor had voted overwhelmingly for > independence. Three members of the U.S. Congress had visited the Suai > church just a few weeks before the massacre. > > On Monday, February 18, prosecutors in East Timor indicted 17 Indonesian > soldiers and militia for crimes against humanity allegedly committed 1999. > All of those indicted are believed to reside in Indonesia, but Indonesian > officials quickly stated they would not honor any extradition requests or > international warrants filed with Interpol. > > "Indonesia's refusal to fulfill its obligation to turn over suspects to the > serious crimes court in East Timor should leave no doubt that Indonesia's > commitment to justice is half-hearted at best," Miller added. "The > Indonesian indictments should not deflect pressure for extraditions or an > international tribunal." > > "The limited jurisdiction of the court, the continued power of the > Indonesian military and the poor quality and lack of training of many of > the judges reinforce our concerns about the Indonesian process. Indonesia > has no witness protection program and traumatized East Timorese are > unlikely to testify in Indonesian courts," said Miller. "The U.S., UN, and > its member states are treading a dangerous line by giving credibility to a > process that is so fatally flawed." > > An April 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on legal co-operation > signed by the UN Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the Indonesian > Government allows for the transfer of suspects. Despite a recent Indonesian > pledge to extend the MOU, the Indonesian government officials maintain that > they have no obligation to extradite suspects. > > Last August, the Megawati administration amended the decree establishing a > special human rights court on East Timor, limiting it to selected incidents > from April and September 1999 in three out of East Timor's 13 districts. > > "No one will be tried for the many atrocities that occurred outside of the > narrow time periods and locations. The limitations mean that the military's > role in orchestrating the violence and devastation throughout 1999 will not > be fully addressed. The many crimes specifically directed at women will > also not be prosecuted," said Miller. > > "Further, no one responsible for Indonesia's 1975 invasion of East Timor > and most of the massive crimes committed during Indonesia's 24-year > occupation will be investigated, much less held accountable," he added. > > Following the August 30, 1999 UN-organized referendum, the Indonesian > military and their militias systematically destroyed East Timor, murdering > up to 2000 East Timorese, destroying over 70 percent of the infrastructure > and raping hundreds of women. Hundreds of thousands were forced from their > homes. > > The East Timor Action Network/U.S. (ETAN) supports human dignity for the > people of East Timor by advocating for democracy, sustainable development, > social, legal, and economic justice and human rights, including women's > rights. ETAN has 26 local chapters throughout the U.S. For additional > information see ETAN's web site (http://www.etan.org). > > -30- > > > > etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan > John M. Miller Internet: john@etan.org > > Media & Outreach Coordinator > East Timor Action Network: 10 Years for Self-Determination & Justice > > 48 Duffield St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA > Phone: (718)596-7668 Fax: (718)222-4097 > Mobile phone: (917)690-4391 > Web site: http://www.etan.org > > Support ETAN, to make a donation: http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm > > Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out > how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet > etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan > From aaronj at interchange.ubc.ca Thu Feb 28 03:19:42 2002 From: aaronj at interchange.ubc.ca (Aaron James) Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 12:19:42 -0600 Subject: [asia-apec 1848] URGENT REQUESTS FOR SOLIDARITY FROM INDONESIA, KOREA, AND Vancouver Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20020227121942.007d3ba0@pop.interchange.ubc.ca> Friends, here are annoucements for four actions in defense of human rights in the Asia Pacific. Please take a moment to review and respond to these urgent requests.... 1. Immigration, Refugee and Migrant worker rights rally in Vancouver 2. Request for Solidarity from the Korean Public Sector Unions 3. A Photo Essay on human rights in Burma in Vancouver 4. A Request for solidarity from striking Indonesian workers at a GAP subcontracting manufacturing plant Rally and Speak Out In Support of Immigrant, Refugee, and Migrant Worker Rights Friday, March 1, 2002 12 to 1 800 Burrard (at the corner of Robson) the Regional office of Citizenship and Immigration Canada The government continues to push draconian changes through a barrage of Bills: C35, C36, C42, and through restricting immigration. Bringing in harsh and punitive measures, Canada's new Immigration Act adds to the racist backlash against immigrants and refugees after September 11. Join us in solidarity and protest! Say no to racism! We will present a list of demands to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Brought to you by POSSE and friends... People Organizing Spontaneous Solidarity Efforts For more information, call 604.682.3269, ext. 6467 *************************** Dear Brothers and Sisters All Around the World, We send our deepest solidarity to your struggles for workers' rights. At the moment, the Korean government is attempting to privatise and sell off to foreign monopoly capital, most of Korea's core national industries including the railway, gas and electricity. The number of workers concerned amounts to 30,000, who are on the verge of being laid-off. 130,000 public sector workers -100,000 from KPSU, 25,000 railway workers and 3,000 gas workers- have decided to go on a general strike as of 9:00am 25th February 2002, to resist against the government. The Korean government and workers are in tense conflict, because the government is not showing willingness to solve the present situation through dialogue. Instead, on 22nd it held a meeting of security-related ministers, promising austere measures in case of an illegal strike. The government is making attempts to arrest union leaders and rid of the unions. When we go on strike, it is for certain that hundreds of union leaders will be arrested and our unions will be sued for compensations. We, the Korean workers, thus ask in urgency for the solidarity and support of workers all around the world. We ask for your support through the following actions: - Please organise rallies and protest letters to the Korean Embassy, in defiance of the suppression by the Korean government. - Please send letters and telephone calls to the Korean government protesting the suppression of the workers. - Please visit or send messages of support and encouragement to the Korean workers, who are fighting in spite of hardline oppression and neo-liberal globalisation. In Solidarity, Kyoung-kyu Yang, President, Korean Federation of Transportation, Public & Social Services Workers Unions(KPSU) ----------------------------------------------------------- * A Report on the Struggles of Korean Workers : Struggles Against Privatisation of Railway, Electricity and Gas Korean Federation of Transportation, Public & Social Services Workers?? Unions(KPSU) - The Korean government promoted economic policies in accordance with the Structural Adjustment Programs that the IMF enforced, in exchange for a 'rescue package' just after the economic crisis. - In implementing IMF's program during the last four years, the Korean government has privatised major national corporations such as POSCO, Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation, Daehan Oil Pipeline, Korea Heavy Industries & Construction and Korea Chemical Corporation, while privatising individual business parts by separating and outsourcing. - The government has also cut down the government and public sector workforce by 140,000, while deteriorating wages and working conditions. - Privatisation policies of national corporations are now in a critical situation. The government plans to finish off separations for privatisation of the railway and gas, and the sell off of electricity generation plants. - The privatisation policies and commercialisation strategies that were promoted after the economic crisis, are now developing into privatisation of the entire sector. - However, trade unions are concerned not only with the downsizing and deterioration of working conditions that will result from privatisation, but also with the fact that railway, gas and electricity are core industries of the country. The unions have also warned about social dangers which privatisation of essential public services will bring. - The unions have proposed that a 'social consensus' be made between the government, unions and civil organisations to terminate privatisation plans and improve the quality of service through inner reformations. However, concerned only with pushing ahead with its plans, the government has ignored all propositions. - The trade unions of railway, electricity and gas formed the 'Common Struggle Headquarters Against Privatisation of Core National Industries' on 31st October last year, deciding to fight together against privatisation of core national industries and essential public services. Workers have been holding massive rallies to demand the cancellation of privatisation plans, while promising to go on an all-out strike if the government does not answer to the demands of the unions. - The scheduled date of the big struggle is 25th February. The government has ignored our demands, and the unions will go forth with the scheduled struggle to pervade our just demands. - A conflict between the government that promotes privatisation and the unions which are against it, is now inevitable. The unions will struggle to protect our working conditions and to protect our workplaces that have contributed to the social integration and democracy through the provision of essential public services. - We are certain that this conflict is the 'shade of globalisation' brought on by the intentions of international financial capital to dominate the Korean economy, in its pursue of profits through neo-liberal commercialisation strategies. - We ask for the support and solidarity from all our working brothers and sisters worldwide who are fighting against neo-liberal globalisation and domination of international financial capital that threaten peace and wellbeing of our world. Workers of the world! Please send solidarity to our demand "stop restructuring and privatisation of the public sector, which will only reinforce domination of capital!" Tell the Korean government to "dialogue with the union and stop the destructive privatisation plans!". Tell the IMF to "stop intervention into the Korean economy and stop pressuring privatisation!". Protest against the government and international financial organisations that deny these democratic and social demands! Korean Peoples' action against WTO & BIT 8-48 4th Floor Galwoel-dong Yongsan-gu Seoul Kopa@jinbo.net http://antiwto.jinbo.net Tel: +82-2-778-4007 Fax:+82-2-778-4006 *************************** Burma activists are all encouraged to attend the reception and view her work: A Journey in Burma: A Photo Essay Exhibit by Leah S. Briggs OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday March 2nd at 7 pm Firehall Centre for the Arts, Delta Arts Council 11469 - 84th Ave., North Delta Leah Briggs, photojournalist will be showing her work for one month at the Firehall Centre for the Arts in North Delta. She has invited VBRT to do outreach at the Opening Reception Funds raised will used to benefit the people of Burma. Folk artists from the local Burma community will perform in honour of the occasion. *************************** Dear Friends, Since February 21, 2002, 420 workers from PT Molax International (a GAP's sub contractor factory) located at KBN Cakung (Cakung Bonded Zone) - North Jakarta organized a strike to demand for their rights. They strive for: 1. No intervention from Manager and Supervisor into Trade Union. According to union chairman, Martadinata, the management of PT. Molax International still makes some intervention. For example, the supervisor propagates an illegal leaflet to the members especially in the Finishing Department to push the new chairman away. For information, workers have elected the new chairman democratically (one voter, one vote). After he becomes the union's chairman, the management always intimidates him by transferred from Finishing Department to General Department. He refused but he was then having no job. After that, he was transferred to the Iron Department. Up to now he has no definitive position in the factory. This case is a part of intimidation done by the factory manager and supervisor to the workers and trade union. 2. No Intimidation During the protest, the workers demand for no intimidation or pressures put on the workers like dismissal. They demand for their wages paid during the protest. (see no. 1 above). 3. Health Allowance The factory management does not provide health allowance. According to the factory manager, health allowance will be provided to the workers after the CLA (Collective Labor Agreement) were agreed and signed. 4. No Physical Abuse by Supervisor and Foreign Staff If they were come late or making a mistake, she or he have to standing for hours in front of their rooms, very often yelled with rude words such as Pig You! Etc., and female workers were harassed by blowing their buttocks). 5. Improving Working Condition Their working condition is poor, such as hot condition. They ask the management to install AC on. 6. Seniority Payment Seniority payment should be paid for workers who have employed more than a year and Minimum Wage paid to workers who have work less than one year. 7. Overtime Pay Overtime pay should not violate the Labor Laws. According to the Laws, the overtime pay for the first hours is wages/hour x 1,5 and for the second hours is wages/hour x 2. 8. Nutritious Meal and Extra Transport Allowance Meal should meet 1.600 calories. The present meal allowance paid by the factory only about Rp. 1750 and it is far from enough to buy nutritious meal. The factory management has agreed to increase meal allowance up to Rp. 2.000.- but at the same time they also cut the transport allowance. 9. Extra Transport Allowance Workers demand for Extra Transport Allowance for overtime work until night (21.00 p.m.). Workers said that the factory provides transport facilities for those who work overtime but in fact never reach the workers' home. The result is the workers should pay for transport by them selves to reach their home. 10. Praying House (Musholla) Majority of workers are Moslem and have regular praying time. But they have no place to meet their religious demand for praying because the place is now used for warehouse (keeping box, etc) by factory. 11. Wages Pay-slip The wage details in the pay-slip should be made apart from others allowance. 12. Dismissal Workers demand for payment for every dismissal based on the Man Power and Transmigration Ministry Regulation No. 150/2000. Workers have discussed the above problems with Ms. Ira Puspa Dewi, the Indonesia GAP representative on October 10, 2001. She has promised to handle the problems on October 12, 2001. Appeal: 1. Write to GAP to enforce its contractor to implement GAP Code of Conduct. Corporate Communications Gap Inc. Two Folsom Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Call (800) 333-7899, ext. 45550 ------------------ Aaron James 26 Bluebell Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R2V 2M3 Phone: 204-339-4484 Email: aaronj@interchange.ubc.ca ------------------